Key points
- 1
1Money is our number one replacement for God; we try to fulfill eternal longings with temporary things.
“We try to fulfill eternal longings with temporary things”
A story from life
Background on Solomon — the wealthiest man who ever lived, worth an estimated $2–3 trillion today, who pursued every form of more and found it empty
- 2
2You cannot serve two masters — pursuing money as your source of satisfaction, significance, and security is slavery, not freedom.
“you cannot serve God and be enslaved to money at the same time”
- 3
3Those who love money will never have enough; wealth does not bring true happiness or lasting significance.
- 4
4Give back to God first — with the best and first portion — as an act of faith, protection, and blessing.
“As we make more money, we should be raising our standard of giving, not our standard of living”
A story from life
Pastor Bill's youngest daughter ran a loan-shark operation among her siblings out of $1,000 she had saved in her room
- 5
5Save for the future; the wise accumulate rather than spend everything they receive.
- 6
6Plan your spending and keep good records — know what you own, what you owe, what you earn, and where it goes.
“when your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep becomes your downfall”
- 7
7Seek God's kingdom first, and then you can enjoy what you have — guilt free and debt free — as a gift, not an expectation.
“I had this compartmentalized idea of my faith that I can fully love Jesus and ignore what he said about money at the same time”
A story from life
Pastor Bill's six-year refusal to tithe during his early marriage and pastoral ministry, the turning point when a friend named Randy challenged him, and how giving first changed his marriage and gave him the faith to plant Rock Point
“wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be”
Illustration
Survey across all income levels showing everyone wants the same '$1,000–$1,500 more per month' regardless of what they already earn
Illustration
Howard Hughes quote: when asked how much is enough, he answered 'just a little bit more'
Application
Pastor Bill calls everyone to honestly ask: 'Do I have money, or does money have me?' The path forward is to reorder your finances the way God designed — give to Him first (starting with a percentage, off the top), then save, then plan your spending, keep records, and only then enjoy what you have. If you are currently living beyond your means, start with baby steps toward that order rather than waiting until it 'makes sense.' The act of giving first is not just financial obedience; it is the very mechanism God uses to realign your heart, battle greed, and open you to trust Him more fully — in your finances, your marriage, and every other area of life where He may be calling you to step out in faith.





